True Meditation Has No Direction

 The goal of meditation is to meditate. There is no end to meditate toward or for, but the goal is an ongoing flow akin to being in a flowing river but not aware or sensing being wet but being in the flow, in the current. This awareness is not something one works toward; the awareness arises from within and emerges outward as I let go of awareness. It may be more related to a concurrence where I am in agreement or harmony or equanimity with the flow or current of life about me. I experienced it significantly once as I sat in my car listening to a musical piece. I paused as I was to go and purchase lunch. In my pause I saw/heard/felt the wind blowing the trees in front of me; I saw a hawk swoop to attempt to capture a squirrel; and I was aware of my mother-in-law who was dying at that time. I was aware of being in the flow of life changing, living and dying, and felt a deepened sense of awe, a loving awe, arise. I felt that awe again while standing on a ledge in the Badlands and becoming aware of the magnificence of the Master Craftsman who created this environment using volcano, rain, wind, heat, revolution and millions of years to etch the land on this tiny orb hurling through the infinite universe. Even as I allowed my thoughts to progress on what was happening in my backyard from the grass growing to the ants, spiders, flies, roots, moisture, worms, and all being their perfect selves in living as they are...I became aware of the life flowing through my veins, lungs, nerves all uncontrolled or directed or even considered by me yet empowering me to enter into that being awareness. I am saddened that I cannot sustain that sense all through my days, my conversations, and my activities as I know it would create life in ways I cannot imagine.

Thank you, Rajnikant. It is the first time I hear of Syadvad and what it says makes a lot of sense to me. I must remember to pray each day for steadfastness in my practice of watchfulness and inner strength to withstand those things I find difficult to cope with. It is true that such an attitude as the one recommended is the only one helpful. I am coming to realize that there is absolutely no sense and no benefit in opposing other viewpoints and asserting my own. This includes being somewhat judgmental as regard to people that do not share my interest for inquiring into consciousness. In a sense what this philosophy recommends is profound humility. A humility based on the realization that each one is at a different stage of development. Of course any serious teaching will recommend the same for the reason that that the other is fundamentally not different from me in his/her vulnerability. An easy thing to forget. Thank you for this helpful reminder.

 Thierry put in very well that awareness that we create of binding is very essential in the waking moments of every reaction we have and that is meditation as stated by the Vitrag Vignan scientists. Sis Ashaben also talks of connecting with yourself . Who is yourself and what is the mechanism of connection? Following are the diamonds which are given by the Gnani Purush that will help:
Universal Projections for Rich Inner Life
 
1.    Hearty decisions with ardent prayers for inner
transformation and rich inner living
 
Let my mind, speech, body not hurt any living being
 in the world even to slightest extent and
 let my mind, speech, body be used to oblige others.
 (Yog, upayogo paropakaraya.’)

2.    The Essence of all Scriptures as given by
the experienced  self –realized Holistic Scientist
as 9 Diamonds for Divine Code of Conducts. To be read
three times a day to make these wishes and then to keep
internally for implementation in daily life.
 
1st of 9 Nine Priceless Gems/Diamonds for Divine codes of conduct:
O Supreme Self/O Lord!
May you bless me with such an infinite inner strength
 as would restrain me from hurting,  causing someone
to hurt or supporting someone hurting  even slightly the
ego of any living being.
May you bless me with such an inner strength in the philosophy
 of relative pluralism (syadvad) in speech, conduct and thinking
as would restrain me from hurting even slightly, the ego of any living being.
 
Explanation-
-Ego means ‘I am’ that is to say ‘I am name bearer’. Ego is very existence
 or life for all human beings. Only two things happen in interactive dealings,
either Ego is boosted or hurt. No one can be happy by hurting anyone’s ego.
Whenever our ego is hurt by our mind, speech or body we would have
 inner disturbance first and in addition there would be reactionary behavior,
 echo or revengeful attitude from one whose ego is hurt. One who would not
hurt anyone’s ego anytime would straight away attain the ultimate blissful state.
So this first code of conduct is of prime significance.
- ‘Syadvad’ means a vision, an all-embracing approach that would take into
 account all different view-points in a situation and would not hurt anyone’s view-point. It enables
 one to know by what angle and to what extent it is correct. It also enables
one to know the ultimate correctness. Everyone is correct by his/her own
view-point and understanding, and there is some truth in each of the view-points.
Only through ‘syadvad’ one can succeed in not hurting any one’s ego or view-point.
In simpler words one asks for inner strength of balanced thinking, speech or act.
 
 
2nd of 9 Priceless Gems/Diamonds for Divine codes of conduct:
O Supreme Self/O Lord!
May you bless me with such infinite inner strength so as not to hurt, nor cause
someone to hurt, nor support anyone hurting even to the slightest extent,
the foundation or view-point of any religion or faith.
Bless me with such an infinite inner strength in the philosophy
 of relative pluralism (syadvad) in speech, conduct and thinking
 as would restrain me from hurting any of religious view-points or beliefs.
 
Explanation-
As per Holistic/ Vitrag science, there are several (fourteen lac) layers
of human beings depending on belief planes and inner development.
All have different developments. As there are many classes from K.G .
to College and University degree, so are standards in spiritual
 development too. And according to the standard, the person will get
along with a particular religion or preacher. So all religions are correct
 but not the same!
 
 
3rd of 9 Priceless Gems/Diamonds for Divine codes of conduct:
O Supreme Self/O Lord!
May you bless me with such an infinite inner strength
as would restrain me from uttering untrue adverse things,
from offending or showing disregard (disrespect) to any
 preacher, monk, nun or a religious head.
 
Explanation –
In true sense any monk, nun, preacher or religious head
 tries to show some light to mankind. Uttering untrue adverse
 things means to misrepresent or tell which is not there.
 
4th of 9 Priceless Gems/Diamonds for Divine codes of conduct:
O Supreme Self/O Lord!
May you bless me with such an infinite inner strength
 as would not make me dislike or hate any living being
to the slightest extent, nor cause anyone nor
support anyone doing so.
 
Explanation-
When we hate or dislike anyone, we see the packing (outer body)
and don’t see the material (pure self) inside. Moreover it
reflects back on our own self. Indifference that is disregard
with a dislike and hatred or contempt are two main faults
one may have towards any living being. One who can get
rid of these two would attain very high state of being.
 
5th of 9  Priceless Gems/Diamonds for Divine codes of conduct:
O Supreme Self/O Lord!
May you bless me with such an infinite inner strength as
would restrain me from speaking, causing someone to
 speak or supporting someone speaking harsh, hurtful
language or language of rivalry to anyone. Give me inner
strength to speak soft, sober, soothing language even if
someone is speaking harsh, hurtful, egoistic or biting language.
 
Explanation-
In present times most of the bondages are due to language
or speech only. Speech is such that it hurts others, pierces
through heart or may lead to rivalry and revengeful attitude.
Words can lead to wars and words can also resolve wars.
One should have a continuous decision and ardent desire
(‘bhavna’) as to how speech can be improved, how it can become
sweet, sober and soothing, making others happy. 
 
6th  of 9  Priceless Gems/Diamonds for Divine codes of conduct:
O Supreme Self/O Lord!
May you bless me with such an infinite inner strength
as would restrain me having faults, desires, gestures
or thoughts of sensuality or passion towards any
 gender-male, female or neuter. Give me the supreme
strength so as to be free of sensual or passionate
attitudes or perversions forever.
 
Explanation-
-Here focus is to abstain from carnal deeds or sensual/sexual
misendeavours of all kinds by mind, speech and body both
directly and indirectly. One has human right to get involved
in sensual pleasures with one’s own lawful spouse.
But any thought, act or even a passionate stare towards anyone
 else is a serious fault. Everyone lawfully belongs to someone.
Today it forms a major weakness or a major binding factor, so
 one should be aware of it.
- Sensual pleasures have been considered to be the best in
 the world. But really speaking, the happiness of pure soul
surpasses all the sensual pleasures. Desire for sensual pleasures
 is one of the principal causes of bondage to humans.
 Yet the Vitrag (one who is totally free from attachments (raga)
 and aversions (dewsha) ) do not object when it is in normality
and with your lawful spouse to whom you are married.
To keep ourselves pure, it is utmost necessary to pray daily for
such strength and it is especially pertinent in present time.
 
7th of 9  Priceless Gems/Diamonds for Divine codes of conduct:
O Supreme Self/O Lord!
May you bless me with such an infinite inner strength
to control my excessive temptation towards any relish
or taste of food? Give me the strength to take food
having balance of all tastes.
 
Explanation-
It is said that all six tastes are necessary to maintain health.
 (They are bitter, chilly, sour, salty, astringent and sweet)
Imbalance, i.e. excess of one or absence of the other may
affect harmony. So it is advisable to take all the six tastes
in proper proportions.
 
8th of 9 Priceless Gems/Diamonds for Divine codes of conduct:
O Supreme Self/O Lord!
May you bless me with such an infinite inner strength
as would restrain me from uttering untrue adverse things,
from offending or showing disregard towards any
 being-living or dead, in one’s presence or absence.
 
Explanation-
Doing any such thing towards anyone is going to affect the self-first.
 
 
 
9th of 9 Priceless Gems/Diamonds for Divine codes of conduct:
O Supreme Self/O Lord!
May you bless me with such an infinite inner strength
for being instrumental in welfare of the world that is
common good of mankind as a whole?
 
Explanation-
Our own welfare is automatically included in our wishing
for the welfare of the world.
 
You have to resolve to act according these Divine codes of conduct
And pray heartily at least three times a day. This will be the planting
of the seeds and hence such behavior would result as fruit or effect.

 The passage is really excellent. It has described so clearly how ultimately one can achieve Awareness  returning to its non-state of absolute unmanifest potential, the silent abyss beyond all knowing. Each individual is unique, incomparable and indefinable. Also people have different levels of energy, capacity and inclinations and cannot be expected to practice the discipline in equal strength. In addition the degrees or levels and stages of spiritual insight and attainment also matters. The spiritual path has novices, beginners, newcomers and learners as well as those who have more experience and understanding – seasoned in their journey. There are also a number of diverse pathways to the Divine, indeed, each person’s path is unique. Hence the understanding and absorption of the passage also varies depending on the individuals.
Generally people come to the meditative life and practices seeking solutions to so many different problems. Want a variety of things from meditation. Some come for peace others for self control, some for physical fitness, stress management, solutions to the emotional problems or the problems of the family and social relationships, to gain power, etc., only few will be interested in the highest aim of silence and stillness called “SAMADHI” for attaining transcendental realization – the truth - the knowledge of pure self.
 ULTIMATE END – BRAHMAN - (SAT-CHIT-ANAND).
As per the Raja Yoga there are three stages of meditation. The first is DHARANA - concentrating the mind upon the object…but the mind is wavering. When it has become strong and does not waver so much, It is called DHYANA (Meditation). And then there is a still higher state called SAMADHI (when the differentiation between the object and my-self is lost) or absorption. If the mind can be fixed on the object of their meditation for twelve seconds it is called DHARANA, twelve such Dharanas (ie.144 seconds) will be Dhyana, and twelve such Dhyanas will be a ASAMPRAJANATA SAMADHI. To accomplish this takes many years of study and relentless practice.
 SUPREME REALITY: To us it is clear BRAHMAN means REALITY which grows, breaths or swells. "That from which these beings are born, that in which when born they live, that in to which they enter at their death - that is “BRAHMAN". – SAT(Pure existence) – CHIT (pure awareness/consciousness) - ANANDA (delight/ Bliss) - THE ULTIMATE END. The highest BRAHMAN which is ANANDA OR DELIGHT is just ATHMAN AS REALISED IN THE FOUTH STATE or the TURIYA state. There the object and subject are one (the knower, the known and the knowledge become one.) the SEER seeing eye and the object seen merge together in one whole. Here the philosophical quest ends or terminates-The suggestion being that there is nothing higher than ANANDA.

 Excellent article. Awareness is the key aspect especially who is aware of what. Based on Holistic science i.e. Vitrag Vignan one needs to know who am I from a Gyani Purush and then this awareness becomes really meaningful. The seer and knower needs to be separate from the function of the body. Really one is in a meditative state all the time in the thought process in any of the four ways. 1. Arta  Dhyan - Painful to one self i.e. worrying, feeling sorry, etc..2.  Raudra Dhyan - when you think of snatching happiness of others by hurting their egos thru anger, pride, maya & deceit, greed. 3. Dharma Dhyan - state of peace & tranquility in all situation. 4. Shukla dhyan - to be conscious that "I am the Pure Soul". These 4 states are the binding karmas for the next life. Any other meditation done is by the body itself and the results in gain in body functions in the present life which is definately useful but  NOT for  the ultimate goal of life of liberation.

The very first sentence or the title of this small essay - 'True Meditation Has No Direction or Goal' from Adyashanti disturbs me.

If no goal then why should we do that effort and waste our time and energy (mental energy)?

And if no direction, no method, no knowledge where this piece leads you to? - the silent abyss beyond all knowing. - Isn't that the aim of author's efforts?

In Raj-yoga meditation has a specific direction and aim. It is based on Mind & Intellect, two powers of soul. Mind is a creative faculty of the soul. It creates thoughts, if there is no control on mind, it will create thoughts aimlessly. You may be sitting in front of God or deity or in temple, church or Gurudwara and it (Mind) can wander in any direction. Letting it lose can pollute the atmosphere sooner or later as people are under the influence of negativity.

Intellect is like compass and can monitor, focus and concentrate the direction of thoughts towards the aim. So, in meditation aim and direction is essential if you want to attain some tangible results. Otherwise you will enjoy interrupted silence and at the end of meditation you will conclude how peaceful I passed the time!

'Passing the time' is not the aim of meditation. Collection of pieces of interrupted silence & Peace amongst different voices in mind is not an idea of meditation. Meditation should give us (inner) power to withstand any pressure of life, develop virtues like power of peace, purity, love etc. leave us enlightened and in the state of bliss (Sat-chit-anand swarup). It should develop the intuitive energy. It should give us an experience of very deep state of silence.

Otherwise what is the idea of doing True (sat!) meditation?

Think over it.

 To me, "being awareness," means being one with pure awareness, that is, with no purpose or goal, no attachment, no trying to control, no manipulation.  I have only very brief moments of being awareness, and then I attach to some thought or concern or fantasy which takes me out of being awareness.  Attempting to get to true meditation means I have a goal that I am trying to get to, and having a goal that I am trying to get to is a problem.  It's not being awareness.  It is trying to get to true meditation rather than being true meditation.  The trying gets in the way of being awareness, and true meditation is being awareness which is without trying and has no predetermined direction or goal.  I believe that in true meditation I only know the direction looking back in hindsight. I only know where I have been and not where I am going.  If I have a predetermined direction or destination that I am trying to get to, I'm not in true meditation. 

Unless one has inquired into meditation with the help of those who have made it into an art and a way of living it is very common to see  silence as the doorway to some ultimate state. This is the essence of seeking and seeking implies one has a goal, a direction. Adyashanti says in another, closely related passage: 'Sitting in silence is not a goal. The goal of sitting is not to attain silence. There is just sitting in silence and recognizing yourself  to be the silence...But if I seek silence as an object, as a state I am trying to sustain, it means I am still seeing silence as an object, as something different from me.' J. Krishnamurti made a very similar answer to someone somewhat stuck with seeking something beyond silence. His answer was: ' Can silence listen to silence in silence? '. 
Both these statements make it very clear that meditation has neither goal nor direction. When this is clear, when one is not attempting to get somewhere one can, tentatively, 'feel the quality of silence'.

 Fantastic. Adyashanti's  statement says it all.  To paraphrase Thomas Keating: "The universe's first language is silence. All else is a poor translation." The only personal experience I can share is occasionally, actually very rarely, and only within the last year, have I noticed an exceptional peacefulness when I am just being aware with no goals or desires. I have not experienced being no one going nowhere but that is perhaps another way of saying being awareness. This unusual peacefulness was experienced after about 22 years of meditation. Meditation may be thought of as the M-word since any attempts to describe or explain it or not..  Being no one going nowhere I expect is a fine way to experience being awareness/peacefulness. There is no need to reconcile anything other than noticing many paradoxes exist when attempting to intellectualize being awareness. Thanks for the opportunity to respond. Warm and kind regards to everyone. I just read to watch again Obama said and I believe he is on the head. My statement too may be complete nonsense. I would like to suggest we have Ganoba write one of these weekly pieces. I have made copies of about three of his responses. Last weeks and this weeks Ganoba's  responses were also fantastic.